Sessions · Speaker session
Fit before you Commit-Founder's guide to PMF diligence before the first yes
Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 4–7 PM PDT
This session has ended.
About this session
Fit Before You Commit--A founder's guide to PMF diligence before the first yes
You landed the client. You started building. You said yes to every ask.
Then they walked.
It's one of the most common — and most avoidable — patterns in early-stage companies. Founders lose months customizing, iterating, and accommodating a buyer who was never truly committed. By the time the "no" comes, the damage is done: to the roadmap, the team, and the runway.
This talk is about what should have happened before any of that started.
You'll learn how to run real product-market fit diligence before you write a single line of code or sign a single SOW. How to tell the difference between a curious prospect and a genuine buyer. What questions to ask in the first conversation — and how to actually interpret the answers. How to hold your ground without losing the relationship.
PMF isn't a milestone you reach. It's a filter you apply from day one.
Come ready to rethink how you qualify — before you commit.
Agenda
9–9:30 AM PDT
Arrive and Check In
Connect with fellow attendees before the event kicks off—arrive on time to make valuable connections and start building relationships that could accelerate your founder journey.
9:30–10:15 AM PDT
Speaker: Court Lorenzini
Court has personally built 5 companies as a founder, and coached hundreds of other founders on how to find PMF. But Product-Market Fit isn't just a milestone — it's a deep understanding and conversation you need to have before you start building. Too many founders discover the mismatch only after months of iteration for a client who ultimately walks. This talk breaks down how to assess PMF with real rigor upfront: the questions to ask, the signals to trust, and the discipline to hold your ground before you've earned the sale.
10:15 AM–12 PM PDT
Breakout Sessions
You'll be assigned to a breakout room consistent with your current stage of business. This assures that you'll be receiving insights from other founders who are at, or above, your own level of experience.
Hosting this session
Court Lorenzini
Founding CEO of DocuSign, FounderNexus
Court Lorenzini is a true serial entrepreneur. With several successful exits under his belt, including launching DocuSign into $20B global juggernaut.
His next venture, FounderNexus, extends his passion for working with Founders to accelerate themselves and their businesses. Beyond starting 5 companies himself, Court is an LP in nearly 20 VC funds around the world and a direct investor in dozens of global startups. His work with nearly a thousand Founders has helped them achieve higher levels of success.
Next step
Have a question behind the session?
Share what you’re working through. If your company qualifies, we’ll reply personally within 24 hours.
For companies that have raised at least $1M from venture firms.